Welcome
Welcome to our new Part-time Quick Guide and we do hope that you find all the information you need about becoming a flexible learner at Atlantic Technological University. Formerly GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo, Atlantic TU is one of the largest multicampus universities on the island, bringing together students, enterprise and communities spanning a unique geographical region across the North-West.
ATU has over 50 part-time courses starting in January 2023 that are now open for applications. Whether you are entering third level for the first time or seeking to progress in your career, flexible and funded study options are available here at ATU.
As a leader in part-time learning, ATU offers students the opportunity to study part-time through a variety of delivery modes such as online, blended, and on-campus learning with progression routes from Level 6 Higher Certificate right up to Level 9 Masters.
We have the experience and expertise amongst our academic and support staff to ensure our graduates succeed, in whatever path they choose.
Why Study at Atlantic Technological University
Collaborative Strength
Students at Atlantic TU will join a student population of over 20,000 learners, spanning 600+ academic programmes from pre-degree to doctoral level. ATU’s strength lies in our collaborative ethos, realising our shared goals by elevating and championing success.
Academic Excellence
Atlantic TU offers a new higher educational experience. Building on the foundations of applied learning, our university will grow through research informed teaching. We will empower learners to realise their full potential, developing responsible citizens, critical thinkers, innovators and problem solvers equipped for life-long learning.
Research,
Engagement
& Innovation
At Atlantic TU we will continue our proud tradition of industry engagement, through collaborative research and providing courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels that meet employers’ skills requirements. As the leading higher educational institution in the region, our students, staff and communities will be intrinsically linked to regional employers, building sustainable employment opportunities, and driving growth in the west and north-west.
Global Opportunities
At Atlantic TU, students will develop as global citizens, recognising and building awareness of the opportunities and roles we play in developing sustainable global economies. From collaborative international research to overseas study and work placement opportunities, ATU students will be part of a global community with a mindset that reaches far beyond our shores.
Course List
Business
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Logistics and Marketing Certificate Blended 15 7 1 year Mayo/ Donegal/ Sligo
Business Models and Certificate Blended 10 8 1 year Mayo/ Emerging Technologies Donegal/ Sligo
Digital Media and Marketing Master of Science Blended 90 9 2 years Galway Innovation and Leadership Master of Business Blended 90 9 2 years Letterkenny (Executive)
Leadership and Innovation Master of Science Blended 90 9 2 years Letterkenny in the Public Sector
Lifestyle Retail and Diploma Online 60 7 1 year Donegal Digital Marketing
Applied Brand Strategy Postgraduate Certificate Online 30 9 1 semester Donegal and Identity Business
AR and VR for the Postgraduate Certificate Online 30 9 1 semester Donegal Creative Industries
Management and Leadership Certificate Online 30 7 1 year Donegal
Civil Engineering and Construction
Course Name Award
Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Auctioneering and Estate Certificate Online 30 7 1 year Sligo Agency Practice
Property Services and Degree Online 60 7 2 years Sligo Facilities Management
Road Safety Audit Certificate Online 15 9 1 year Sligo and Engineering
Certificate in Applied Fire Certificate Online 10 7 8 weeks Letterkenny Safety Management
Engineering in Higher Diploma Blended 60 8 1 year Galway Civil Engineering
Sustainable Development Certificate Online 20 6 1 year Galway Goals, Partnership, People, Planet and Prosperity
Built Environment Regulation Master of Science Blended 90 9 1.5 years FT Galway PT & FT or 2.5 PT
Built Environment Regulation Postgraduate Diploma Blended 60 9 1 year FT Galway PT & FT or 2 years PT
Fire Safety Certificate Blended 15 9 1 year PT Galway Energy Conservation and Certificate Blended 15 9 1 year PT Galway Environmental Services
Computing and Electronic Engineering
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Masters in Data Science Master of Science Online 90 9 2.5 years Sligo
Education, Law and Social Studies
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
School Age Childcare Diploma Blended 60 7 1 year Mayo Outdoor Education Master of Science Blended 90 9 2 years Mayo
Diploma in Human Resource Diploma Online 60 7 1 year Letterkenny Management and Employment Law (CIPD)
Certificate in Licensing Law Certificate Online 10 7 12 weeks Letterkenny Master of Arts in Master of Arts Online 90 9 2 years Letterkenny Learning and Teaching Cert in Recognition of Certificate Online 10 9 11 weeks Letterkenny Prior Learning
BSc in Inclusive Practice for Bachelor of Science On-Campus 180 7 3 years Letterkenny Special Needs Assistance (LY007) full time BSc in Applied Approaches Bachelor of Science On-Campus 60 7 2 years Letterkenny to Childhood Autism
Higher Diploma in Science Higher Diploma On-Campus 60 8 1 year Letterkenny in Counselling Studies full time
Access Studies Certificate Blended 30 6 12 weeks Letterkenny
Environmental Science
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Health and Safety Representation Certificate Online 10 6 13 weeks Sligo Irish Archaeology Certificate Online 15 7 1 year Sligo
Irish Archaeology - International Certificate Online 18 7 1 year Sligo
Environmental Management Bachelor of Science Online 60 7 2 years Sligo Environmental Protection Postgraduate Diploma Online 60 9 2 years Sligo
Irish Wild Flower Identification Certificate Blended 10 6 13 weeks Sligo
Life Science
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Aseptic Biopharmaceutical Certificate Online 30 6 1 year Sligo Operations
Biopharmaceutical Science Certificate Online 30 9 1 year Sligo
PgD Biopharmaceutical Postgraduate Diploma Online 60 9 2 years Sligo Science
MSc Biopharmaceutical Master of Science Online 90 9 2.5 years Sligo Science
Medical Technology Master of Science Online 90 9 2.5 years Sligo Regulatory Affairs
Computerised Systems and Certificate Blended 25 8 1 year Galway Data Quality for Medtech
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Heat Pump Installation Certificate Blended 20 6 1 semester FT Galway PT & FT or 1 year PT
Nursing
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Emergency Nursing Certificate Blended 20 8 26 weeks Letterkenny Acute Medicine Nursing Certificate Blended 10 8 13 weeks Letterkenny
Contemporary Healthcare Certificate Blended 30 9 1 semester Letterkenny Management
Therapeutic Interventions for Postgraduate Diploma Blended 90 9 1 year & Letterkenny Alcohol and Other Drugs 2 years
Therapeutic Interventions for Master of Science Blended 60 9 1 year & Letterkenny Alcohol and Other Drugs 2 years
Avancing Health and Postgraduate Diploma Blended 90 9 1 year & Letterkenny Social Care 2 years
Avancing Health and Master of Science Blended 60 9 1 year & Letterkenny Social Care 2 years
Teaching and Learning Stand alone module Blended 10 9 1 semester Letterkenny
Contemporary Legal and Stand alone module Blended 10 9 1 semester Letterkenny Professional Issues
Tourism and Sport
Course Name Award Delivery New Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Course Level
Professional Skills for High Certificate Online 20 9 12 weeks Letterkenny Performance Sport
Professional Kitchen Bachelor of Arts Online 60 8 1 year Killybegs Management (Honors)
Food Business and Production Higher Diploma Online 60 8 1 year Donegal/ Innovation (WBL) Sligo/ Galway
BA (Hons) in Hospitality Bachelor of Arts Online 180 8 3 year Donegal/ Management (Work (Honors) Sligo/ Based Learning) Galway
Applied Strength Bachelor of Science Blended 240 8 4 year Donegal & Conditioning (Honors)
Personal Fitness Certificate Online 60 6 1 year Donegal Regional Guiding Certificate Face2face 20 6 12 weeks Killybegs
Springboard+ Course List
Civil and Construction
Course Name Award Delivery Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Level
Certificate in Revit and 4D BIM Certificate Online 30 7 1 year Letterkenny
Building Information Modelling and Postgraduate Diploma Blended 60 9 1 year Galway Digital Leadership (BIM)
Culinary Arts
Course Name Award Delivery Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Level
Culinary Arts Higher Certificate Blended 60 6 1 year Galway
Culinary Skills Certificate Blended 60 6 1 year Galway
Culinary Arts (Consortium - Higher Certificate Blended 60 6 1 year Killybegs Midlands Athlone Lead)
Life Science
Course Name Award Delivery Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Level
Biopharmaceutical Processing Certificate Online 35 6 26 weeks Sligo
Marketing, Tourism and Sport
Course Name Award Delivery Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Level
Digital Marketing Practice Certificate Online 20 6 13 weeks Sligo Social Media Marketing Certificate Online 20 6 13 weeks Sligo
Science
Course Name Award Delivery Credits NFQ Duration Campus Part-time Level
Advanced Analytical Chemistry Higher Diploma Blended 60 8 1 year Galway Full-Time Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate Blended 30 9 1 semester Galway
at u. ie
Bringing flexible learning to life
With over 20 years’ experience in part-time online and blended learning, we will give you the flexibility you need to invest in yourself and your career whilst also balancing life commitments such as family, work, or caring responsibilities. Our focus has always been to deliver a flexible part-time learning experience designed to suit you and your life.
Online
Learn online with ATU by attending live lectures through our online learning environment. Simply log on from work, home, or anywhere you choose and be part of weekly lectures. Engage in discussions, live chat, and interact with fellow students and lecturers. Unable to attend? Recorded sessions are available within hours, so students can watch them back at a time that suits them.
Blended
Blended learning is a flexible way of completing your course of study, combining online aspects with in-classroom experience to allow for an accessible learning style. In a blended course, students may view lectures, access readings, ask questions and complete assignments online, so time in the classroom can focus more on discussion and activities.
On-Campus
Some of our courses are available to study fully on-campus and students studying an on-campus course will have the full in-classroom experience at ATU.
Experiential Learning
Students will learn and experience all the practical elements in the learning outcomes. Guest lectures, tutorials and residential workshops are accessible to all online students either via live streaming or as recorded sessions.
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Working collaboratively is part of the college experience and part-time learning is no different. Group learning and assignments encourage peer support and small classroom sizes ensure students are supported throughout the learning journey.
Assessments & Examinations
Assessments in the forms of quizzes and assignments are used to gauge students’ understanding of a topic throughout the semester. Examinations take place at the end of each Semester. For Examinations, students may have to attend at the ATU campus through which they completed their studies. For some programmes it may be possible for the Exam to be taken remotely via online proctoring. ATU Students resident in the Republic of Ireland will be invited to attend exams at an exam centre located in Ireland. Students’ resident outside of Ireland or with exceptional circumstances may be eligible to attend remotely via online proctoring, where examinations are taken online and supervised virtually, subject to availability.
at u. ie
Fees & Funding
Course fees vary for each part-time course. It is important that you check the relevant course webpage for further information regarding the fees for your interested course. Links to our course webpages are included in the course list above.
Self-Funding Students
To help make payments more manageable for students who are selffunding, ATU has a variety of payment options that include payment per semester, in-full or by instalment. For specific fees for each online programme, please visit the programme webpage.
Employer Funded
If your employer is partly or fully funding your course, you will need to organise payment through the ATU Admissions team with your employer.
Springboard Funded Students
If you are a Springboard+ funded student completing a Level 6 programme, it is fully funded by the HEA, and you are not required to make any payment towards your tuition fees. If you are completing a Level 7 – 9 programme it is 90% funded and you are required to pay the remaining 10% tuition fee.
The HEA require you to confirm your registration status on the Springboard+ platform at specific times during the academic year to ensure your tuition fees are released to ATU. The Springboard+ Coordinator will send you an email when you are due to complete these registration steps.
Skillnet Funding
Skillnet Ireland partner closely with Industry to fund upskilling programmes which are responsive to business needs. ATU has partnered with a number of Skillnet bodies to provide funding on specific programmes. These programmes can be noted by the inclusion of the Skillnet logos and information on the programme pages.
Tax Relief
As ATU is listed by the Irish revenue as an ‘APPROVED INSTITUTION’ students are eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees. In order to determine your own eligibility and if the course you have applied for qualifies for a tax refund, please read the information on the Revenue website: https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-taxcredits-reliefs-and-exemptions
Submitting an Application
Before you Apply
Before you apply for a part-time course at ATU, we recommend that you firstly research your course from the above course list and by viewing the course webpage. Please also ensure to check the entry requirements and time comittment involved, as these vary from course to course. You will find your course’s specific entry requirements on the course webpage.
When to Apply
Part-time courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. Applications open for a January start on Thursday 27th October 2022 and close in early January 2023. Majority of classes start on the week commencing 16th January 2023.
How to Apply
Applying for a part-time course is easy – simply visit the webpage of your chosen course and select the ‘apply now’ button and follow the steps outlined.
Alternatively, you can visit the ‘apply now’ website of each of our campuses below. Each campus has their own dedicated application process and information on the application process relevant to you and your course below. It is best to apply as early as possible.
ATU Galway-Mayo Apply Now
ATU Donegal Apply Now
ATU Sligo Apply Now
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process whereby evidence of learning (formal, non-formal or informal) that has taken place prior to enrolment in higher education is recognised and given value as part of your application process.
A fundamental principle of RPL is that a learner should not be asked to relearn something they already know. With RPL, prior learning can count towards entry, advanced entry, credit or exemptions from modules at ATU.
To apply for RPL, please visit myexperience.ie/how-to-apply/
Springboard+ Applications
Springboard applications must be submitted via the Springboard website https://springboardcourses.ie/ Full details on Springboard approved courses and eligibility are available at https://www.atu.ie/study-at-atu/ springboard-2022
My Career Path
Alternatively, if you are unsure about what you would like to study, My Career Path is an excellent 1-to-1 mentoring service available from ATU for people in the workplace, returners to education, entrepreneurs seeking to upskill and people looking to accelerate their career and progress within their organisation.
You will receive advice on the learning pathways available to you and how to achieve your career objectives or improve your employability.
For further information on My Career Path, please visit www.mycareerpath.ie
Student Testimonials
“
Digital Marketing is a field that is constantly evolving and the Masters in Digital Media and Marketing at ATU Mayo, allowed me to develop new skills and knowledge within the marketing field, but also expand certain competencies such as Digital Content and Marketing Technology, SEO and Visualisation for Strategic Decision Making. ”
Sam O’NeillCurrent student
of the Master in Science in Digital Media and Marketing at ATU Galway-Mayo
This MSc experience, which is what it is, has been a real growth opportunity. The action learning structure of the programme enables participants to focus, reflect and grow to an extent that I have not experienced in previous academic undertakings. The opportunities to collaborate with Public Servants from North and South are fantastic, with knowledge and experiences freely shared. The programme would be of benefit to public sector managers who are leading teams, particularly through any change initiatives and for those who wish to consider taking on a more senior leadership role in the future. ”
Lynda Slattery
Master of Science Leadership & Innovation in the Public Sector at ATU Donegal Assistant Secretary General, Revenue Commissioners, Investigation, Prosecution and Frontier Management Division, Dublin
“
My team recently moved into the algorithms department of Overstock which employs a lot of data scientists, ML scientists and ML engineers. The move highlighted a large skills deficit that I had when talking to my colleagues. I had always had in the back of my head to continue further education and ATU Sligo was a good fit. It is great to have the flexibility of studying online. I have a young child so if I need to miss a lecture, I can come back and watch it later. There are great online resources for learning and the college seems to have paid particular attention to ensuring online studying is very smooth with their tools like Moodle and Microsoft Teams. ”
Darragh SherwinGraduate from our Master in Science in Data Science at ATU Sligo & Development Team Lead at Overstock